Beware of Phony Fairfax Water Workers

Fairfax County Police are aware of at least two incidents where someone claiming to be from Fairfax Water attempted to enter resident’s homes and property this week. 

Police urge residents to be vigilant; take precautions and ask all visitors to show identification or verify identity prior to allowing them into the home or property.

One incident took place Thursday at around 3:40 p.m. in the 6500 block of Annandale Street. A 76-year-old woman answered a knock at the door and a man, carrying a clipboard, claimed he needed to check something. She escorted the man into her backyard. 

Police believe someone may have entered the home and stole money from the woman’s purse while the two were in back. The incident was then reported to utility representatives and police.

In a separate incident, the potential victim recognized that the situation didn’t seem right and refused to let the impostor into the home; she was not victimized.

Police and Fairfax Water urge residents verify authenticity of visitors by taking the following:

• Fairfax Water employees have photo identification with them at all times when they are on the job. Our vehicles and field staff’s clothing bear our logo. During the summer months, there may be Fairfax Water summer interns in your neighborhood who do not wear uniforms, however each one will have a Fairfax Water photo identification displayed prominently. 

• If someone comes to your door and identifies themselves as a Fairfax Water employee, please ask for their identification or call 703-698-5800, TTY 711 to verify before letting them into your home.

• Fairfax Water employees do not receive or accept any form of payments during service calls and do not collect water-service fees door-to-door.

• Most water meters are located outside of a customer’s home. Therefore, Fairfax Water employees typically DO NOT require access to a customer’s home to read a meter.

If you have any questions about service or employees, call Fairfax Water at 703-698-5800, TTY 711.